A meeting between James Monroe and Doddridge County in the WVSSAC football playoffs was likely not on any projection boards to start the season.
However, Saturday night in West Union that is what it will be when the Bulldogs welcome the Mavericks in a quarterfinal showdown.
“I think coming into the season we were kinda flying under the radar,” Doddridge County head coach Bobby Burnside said. “Over the last couple of years we have graduated some really good players that made it to the Super Six in 2019.”
The Bulldogs didn’t stay unnoticed for long running off eight straight wins before dropping a two-point road game at Williamstown.
A bounce back win over Tygarts Valley secured Doddridge the No. 2 seed and home field advantage, provided they keep winning, until championship Saturday in Wheeling on Dec. 4.
James Monroe for its part had not made the playoffs in four years prior to this season.
Both teams validated their regular season accomplishments with opening-round playoff wins last week. The Mavericks shutout Trinity Christian, 32-0, while the Bulldogs derailed a solid Midland Trail team, 40-21.
“The defense played really well Saturday. There is a possibility they will have to play better this week than they did the other night,” Mustain said laughing. “(Doddridge) kinda remind me of a single-A version of Bridgeport in a lot of ways. They throw the ball, but they have a power type offense. We are going to have our hands full.”
The Bulldogs have two strong running backs in Dylan Knight and Seth Richards who have combined for 1,700 yards, while quarterback Jared Jones has added 631 yards.
“Last year we ended up starting several sophomores, especially on the offensive and defensive line. Those guys have really killed it in the offseason,” Burnside said. “Our lines are not huge, but they move well and they have really made us go. The guys we have running the ball are benefiting heavily from the work that the line put in this off season.”
Making Doddridge even more difficult to stop is Jones’ efficiency in the passing game. While only attempting 74 passes, he’s completed 50 of them for 715 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has been intercepted just once.
“Everyone knows that we want to run the ball. That has been a big part of our formula for success,” Burnside said. “Jared has really improved so much from last year. He is making good throws and good decisions that have really helped the team.”
“It is almost like a single-wing team. They won’t throw it much, but when they do, they have you so sucked up on the run that people are wide open,” Mustain said. “It is going to put some pressure on our D-backs for sure.”
So far this season, the Mavericks have been up to the challenge on the defensive side of the ball, especially forcing turnovers. Last week James Monroe picked off two Trinity passes in the win. Eli Allen leads the team with five interceptions, including a 72-yard pick-6.
“Our defense has to keep playing like it has all year, but offensively we are going to have to do a little better job up front,” Mustain said. “We have made some major strides up front the last two or three weeks, but we can’t have a bunch of missed assignments. They are a physical team. We will have to counter that ourselves.”
On offense James Monroe also has some strong weapons led by sophomore Cooper Ridgeway who has rushed for 844 yards and 12 touchdowns. Senior Grant Lively and freshman Layton Dowdy have combined for over 700 yards on the ground.
Burnside was quick to note that he feels his team is in for a tussle Saturday.
“I am really impressed with the way James Monroe has played. They have played good smart football this year and they have won some battles with their defense and playing good field position,” Burnside said. “Their offense is efficient. Like us, they like to run the football and play great defense and force the other team to make mistakes.”
Both coaches expect a physical battle that will be determined where most all games are won, in the trenches.
“For us to be successful, we have to win the line of scrimmage, not turn the ball over and play good in all three phases. That is where games are won,” Burnside said.
Mustain is hoping the game turns into an old-fashioned smash-mouth battle.
“I hope it does. If it is and we are smash-mouthing ourselves, we have a pretty good chance of being in the game,” Mustain said. “I feel like we have progressed in regards to the physical aspect of the game. Part of that has comes from kids learning their responsibilities.”
Saturday’s game will kickoff at 7:30 p.m.
